Papua New Guinea to set date for Bougainville referendum vote

The Papua New Guinea national government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) are scheduled to meet in October to establish a date for Parliament to vote on the results of the 2019 Bougainville referendum. Prime Minister James Marape announced that the referendum result has been formally tabled in Parliament alongside the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework.

While the 2019 referendum saw 97.7 percent of voters support independence, Prime Minister Marape emphasized that the outcome does not automatically trigger a change in status. Under Section 342 of the Constitution, the final decision rests with the Parliament. Marape urged members to thoroughly review the documentation and consider the long-term political and constitutional consequences for both Bougainville and the rest of the country.

Following the October consultation between Prime Minister Marape and ABG President Ishmael Toroama, Parliament may allocate up to two days for debate before conducting a vote.